Factors Associated With Self-management in Adults With Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-sectional, Correlational Study.

Background: Poor self-management in adults with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) or type 2 diabetes (T2DM) leads to increased diabetes complications. Factors associated with self-management in T1DM and T2DM may differ due to the different methods for controlling blood glucose.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of modifiable physical, cognitive, and psychosocial factors and the nonmodifiable factor of age with overall self-management, diet, exercise, blood glucose testing (BGT), foot care, and smoking in adults with T1DM or T2DM.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, correlational study, data were collected from adults with T1DM (n = 64; mean age, 51.2 years) or T2DM (n = 84; mean age, 62.5 years) using REDCap in 2023 and were analyzed using multiple regression analyses.

Results: Older age, lower body mass index, and stronger knowledge in T1DM (F10,53 = 2.290, P = .026, R2 = 0.302), and lower body mass index and higher levels of self-efficacy in T2DM were associated with better overall self-management (F10,73 = 3.219, P = .002, R2 = 0.306). Different combinations of age, body mass index, knowledge, resilience, and self-esteem were associated with different components of self-management, including diet, BGT, and foot care, in T1DM, whereas different combinations of body mass index, knowledge, self-efficacy, and depressive symptoms were associated with different components of self-management, including diet, exercise, and BGT, in T2DM.

Conclusions: Factors associated with self-management differed based on types of diabetes and components of self-management. Clinicians need to consider the 2 types of diabetes and distinct factors associated with each component of self-management to improve it.